Tractor-drawn corrugator



1951 c. L. ROBERTS TRACTOR-DRAWN CORRUGATOR 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Feb. 25, 1947 MVP ,NK JM INVENTOR. fine/r1. fioamrs.

BY QM m m. mm b 1951 c. L. ROBERTS 2,569,870

TRACTOR-DRAWN CORRUGATOR Filed Feb. 25, 1947 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 ATTOR/Vf) Oct. 2, 1951 c. 1.. ROBERTS 2,569,370

TRACTOR-DRAWN CORRUGATOR Filed Feb. '25, 1947 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 IN V EN TOR. (242% Z. fi08P75 ATTORNEY c 2, 1951 c. L. ROBERTS 2,569,870

TRACTOR-DRAWN CORRUGATOR 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Feb. 25, 194'? INVENTOR.

C4 ARA L fioafkrs ATTOIIVEV Patented Oct. 2, 1951 UNITED STATES TRACTOR-DRAWN GORRUGATOR Clark Ill-Roberts, Nampa, Idaho Application February25, 1947; Seria;l No. 730,839"

i Gl'aimsi (Ma g -55) This invention relates to improvements in corrugatorsofthat type designed foruse inconnec*- tion with a. power tractor;

One of the objects of the present invention is to provide a tractor-drawn corrugator' in which the shovels are: regulated by' depth controlledleversconstructed and arranged to apply pressure to both" sides of the. machine: wllerehy allof the shovels will operate at a uniform predeter mined depth.

A furtherobjectof the invention is to provide a corrugator' in which the shovels" are: arranged for-lateral adjustment relative to each" other'with the press rolls likewise relatively adjustable" for cooperation with the shovels;

Other objects" of the invention reside in" the provision of" means for hoisting: the corrugator as a unit; to facilitate the operation of the (19?- Vice in making'turns at the endof the row; the hoisting device being actuated by" suitable power provided from the tractor. as through the medium of ahydraulic lift andsuitable connecting linkage. a

A further. object of the invention is to provide. a device of'the type in question which the mechanism for controlling; the assembly is readily operable by. the, driver of the tractor from his/seat on the latter vehicle Other features and details of construction such. as the use of hardwood bearings for the wheel and axles and wings for the shovels to keep the corrugate open untilentere'd'by the present wheel are shown, described and"claimed1and' form a part of the present invention.

Reference will be. had to. the accompanying drawings forming a part of the speoificationand wherein. like characters of reference designate corresponding parts throughout the several views, in. which:

Figure his a side elevation of the invention.

Figure-2 is a top plan view..

Figure 3 is a fragmentary sectional view of the control lever for thersliovels.

Figure 4 is airdetail showingthe" transverse axle plate providing adjustment ofl theshovels;

Figure 5 is a detail showing the construction of the base of thequadrant in detaili Figure 6 is a transverse section. showing the wooden bearing for the wheel.

Figure 7 is a perspective showingtlie detail of the linkage of one'of the" shovels.

Figure 8 is a longitudinal section through one of the shovels;

Figure 9 is an elevation" showing the scraper mechanism;

Figure 10 is a perspectiveof a-shovelassemhly-:

Figure 11 is atop planview'showiiigatmodified form of corrugator'llftmeohanism; and

Figure 12 is a. side elevation of the! structure shown in Figure 11.

The corrugator embodies a main frame-formed of front angle 'bar l-" and rear angle bar 2' with suitably spaced connecting angle bars 3 welded; bolted or"rivete'd at their ends 4 to the trans"- verse front and rear frame membersl and" 2;

and T.

It will" be noted that the outershovels 6 are located outside of the outer angle bars 31 althoughthis arrangement could" be modified. Both the'front and" rear angle bars l* and 2 face rearwardly; with the connecting'angle members 3* welded orbolted tothe uprights of the angles. The forward end of the connecting angle memhere 3 have their lower flanges at their front ends" riveted to .thelower horizontal flange of the front frame member I by rivets indicated by numeral 81 The rear ends of the spacingangles 3 are welded and bolted against the outer face of the upright of the rear frame member Itwillhenoted'that inthe' disclosure where four of these spacing angle members 3 are provided; their arrangement is reversed at opposite sides of 'the fram'e so' that there is provided two pairs of spacing angles 3" at each side of a medial line through the frame, with each pair of spacing angles 3 having their lower flange facing inwardly towardsthe opposite pair.

Forsupportlngj the shovels 1 adj u'stahly' alongthe front frame member I, I have provided} as shown" in" Figure 4", the angular plates 9" which bolts H through" perforations I 2' drilled at spaced intervals throughout the length of the upright flange bar I: By this arrangement the shovel arm I 4 maybe clamped" between the angles- 9 by bolts' l5 at" any desired position along the wingsv [8 supported thereby areclamped 853 a unit;. the? shovel cutting: the ground; as better shown in' Figuret'fi while the-wings hold the spread eanth pending; the fixing; the: soil by the follow ingtpressswheelsam: Each ofithe-arms orhangers 60 arm oonnectedrthroughi the-linlis 211 and 22 tov the square cross bar 23, the latter being fixed in the cast bushing 24 within the hangers 25 riveted or bolted to each one of the connecting angle bars 3 as shown in Figure 7. By this arrangement the shovels, as a unit, will be raised and. lowered by operation of the control arm 26. The control arm 26 is fixed to the radiating arms 21,

the extremities of which are secured to the forward ends of a pair of spaced clamp members 28. These clamp members are suitably secure, as by being split and bolted, to the transverse square cross bar 23, and extend rearwardly from this cross bar a suitable distance to provide proper leverage for the ends of the compression bar 29. The compression bar 29 projects from a medial point of each of the members 21 to the rear extremities of the clamps 28 and are bolted to the rear portions of these clamps by bolts 29'. It will be noted that the bolt 23' which secures the clamp to the square cross bar also forms the securing bolt for the rear ends of the radiating arms 21 and secure these arms to the clamps. This structure provides a control capable of exerting a substantial resilient pressure at predetermined spaced points along the length of the bar 23, the members 29 forming an extension for the arms 21 to provide, in connection with the clamp members 28, increased forces for performing the desired function. By this arrangement the bar. 23 is capable of being rocked in its bearings 24 and the shovels are under substantial pressure during use of the apparatus. The control arm 25 is swung vertically and locked in adjusted position by cooperation and use of the quadrant so, the latter being provided with notches 3i and having its lower end clamped to the front frame member ,I by angular clamps 32 and bolts 33 as shown in Figure 5.

In Figure 3 the locking means for the control member 26 and through the contro1 arm the two radiating arms 21 is shown to include the ratchet element 34, normally urged inward in engagement at its end 34' with the ratchet bar 30 by means of a' spring 39. The spring 39 is interposed between the pin 21 and the angular extension plate 40, the latter extension 40 projecting from the guide plate 40 having diagonal marginal portion 36 fixed to one of the radiating control arms 21. The main control arm 25 projects transversely of the structure and parallel to the ratchet arm 34 from its plate-like body portion 23'. The marginal edge of the plate structure 26 is flanged angularly outward as at 21' tolie flush with the other radiating arm 21 and is attached to this arm by welding. or otherwise and in the same manner that the angular flange 33 is secured in position to its arm 21. The housing formed by the spaced plates 40' and 26 abutt against the lateral side walls of the quadrant ratchet 3i] and retain the latter against lateral displacement. The

walls 26' and 40' are formed with slots 35 and 38 through which the inner lateral off-set portion'34' of the ratchet 34 extends. It will be noted that the slots 35 and 38 have their inner ends defined at 4| and 42 in a plane substantially flush with the inner faces of the recesses of the quadrant. It will be noted that all of the parts placement and repair.

After moving the ratchet arm 34 (Fig. 3) against the tension of spring 39 to disengage the same from one of the notches 3| of the quadrant, control arm 26 can be raised and'lowered to shift the shovels 1 on their supporting arms I4, so that these shovels may cut a furrow of predetermined of the control mechanism are removable for re-' v 4 depth. Due to the fact that control arm 23 is provided with a spaced radiating connecting arms 21 which engage the supporting bar 23 through suitable leverage 22 at each end of this bar, the adjustment of the shovels at each end of the bar remains constant, and substantial pressure on these shovels throughout the entire length of the supporting bar is maintained with a great deal of accuracy.

A plurality of press rolls are mounted on an axle 43 supported in wooden bearings 45 in the bearing housing 46, the latter being bolted to the horizontal angles of the longitudinally extending angular bars 3 by bolts 41. The horizontal flanges of the connecting angles 3 may be provided with a series of perforations to permit forward or rearward adjustment of the axle 43 supporting the pressing rolls, this arrangement permitting the use of different types of shovels or pressing rolls in instances where a change in these structures is desirable (Figure 6). The pressing rolls are adjustable longitudinally of the axle 43 to properly associate the rolls with their shovels. Rearward of the pressing rolls is a shaft 50 which extends through openings formed in the hangers 5| welded to the verticalflanges of the connecting angles 3. These hangers 5| are merely plates with aligned openings through which the rod 50 extends. Supported on the rod are a plurality of clearing scrapers 52, the outer faces of which contact the peripheral'faces of the presser rolls 2!] to keep the latter clear of mud and dirt. The contact between the scrapers 52 and the rolls 20 is relatively light, being maintained by means of a spring 53 as clearly shown in Figure 9. i

The hitch between the corrugator and the tractor includes the laterally angled arms 55 and 55, these arms being bent at their outer ends 51 and bolted by means of bolts 58 to spaced angle connectors3 (see Figures 1 and 2). The forward ends of the connecting links 56 are bent to flatly engage the angle brackets 59 of the tractor and are bolted thereto by bolts 50 as shown. The hitch structure including the draft arms 55 and 56 can be elevated vertically by means of the adjusting nuts 62 which are threaded on a vertical bolt carried by the bracket 63 and engaged within the tubular portion 63' and support the draft arms.

' A hydraulic lift 65 suitably mounted on the tractor A operates the hoist mechanism for raising and lowering the corrugator in and out of the ground. This raising and lowering mechanism includes the swinging arm 66' pivoted in the usual manner to the tractor at 65, the hydraulic hoist E5 swinging the arm on its pivots. Suitable adjusting links 69 are pivoted to the arm 66f and cooperate with the chain 6'! to swing the corrugator forwardly on its hinged pivotal connection 60. The chain 61 has its free end adjustable in the key slot of the link 63, this chain having two branches which are fixed to the upper ends of the uprights 68. The uprights 68 are rigidly secured to the front bar I of the corrugator, and preferably at a point in this frame structure braced by the extremities of the spacer elements 3. To distribute the forces dur ing the lifting operation arms 10 are provided and connect the frame at spaced points with the upper portions of the uprights 68. Additional braces may be interposed between the uprights 68 or between these uprights 68 and the frame to prevent distortion of these parts during the lifting operation. V

Referring now to Figures 11 and 12 I have shown a modified form of tractor lift. In these figures the conventional swinging tractor lift arm is illustrated by reference character M, this arm being operated in the usual manner from a suitable source of power. A pair of adjustable converging connections 68a are secured at their lower ends to the side frame members 3 of the corrugator structure, substantially medial of the structure and extend forwardly to a point immediately forward of the corrugator assembly. It will be noted that the connections 68a are of sectional form, each section being provided with a series of bolt openings which may be registered .to permit relative adjustment of the parts prior to bolting together by means of the bolts 15. The forward ends of these connectors are secured to the inclined adjustable telescoping tubular legs 65, these legs being pivotally connected at 16 to the tractor frame as shown in Figure 12. Link plates 11 are clamped to the connectors 68a and the adjustable legs 65 by means of the bolts 18 and link these parts together for pivotal movement. The link plates 11 are generally of the structure of the link plates 69 in the other form of this invention and include a key slot for adjustable association with the chain connector 61. The chain is connected at one end to the connecting arm 66 and the forward end of the latter is formed with a plurality of openings 19 for adjustable connection by means of a bolt 19 or otherwise with the tractor lift arm M. By this mechanism the swinging of the tractor lift arm M will result in a swinging or lifting movement of the corrugator structure on the pivots 16 by means of which the tubular legs 65 are pivoted to the tractor frame.

By means of the foregoing I have provided a tractor-drawn corrugator, well-balanced and easy running and sufliciently strong and rigid to work equally well in all kinds of soil. By means of the depth control mechanism it is pos sible to apply to both sides of the machine pressure which will hold all the shovels at a uniform depth during all operations. The wheels and axle assemblies are rigid and will turn in hard wood bearings secured to the frame of the machine as shown. By this means it has been possible to eliminate the dropping of soil into the bearing of the wheel which is objectionable in machines of this character. The shovel which is of special design has been constructed to give a streamlined effect, thereby permitting the maintenance of greater speed. Wings have been provided for the shovels which keep the corrugate open until entered by the press wheel. This shovel structure forms a part of another application.

By means of the present assembly it is possible that all adjustments can be readily made and that the corrugator can be built to provide any predetermined number of rows. The present illustration is designed to work five rows; however, it will be noted that the number of rows and their spacing may be readily provided for through the adjustment and interchange of parts.

What I claim is:

1. In a corrugator, a main frame including spaced forwardly and rearwardly extending parallel frame members, a rockable cross bar supported medially of said frame, shovels pivotally supported on said frame, link mechanism connecting said rockable bar to each of said shovels whereby said shovels may be raised or lowered upon rocking of said bar, a pair of diverging control arms fixed to said rockable bar at their free ends, a quadrant fixed to said frame forwardly of said bar, guide means slidably connecting the forward end of said control arms and quadrant to permit raising and lowering of said arms on said quadrant, means for locking said arm in adjusted position, clamps fixed to said bar and extending rearwardly thereof, means carried by said arms for applying pressure tosaid bar at points spaced forwardly and rearwardly of the bar, a rotatable axle carried by the frame rearward of said rockable bar, and a plurality of press wheels fixed to said axle and longitudinally adjustable with respect to the same.

2. In a corrugator, a main frame including spaced forwardly and rearwardly extending parallel frame members, a rockable cross bar supported by the frame, shovels pivotally supported by said frame forwardly of said cross bar, link mechanism connecting said rockable bar to each of said shovels whereby said shovels may be raised or lowered upon rocking of said bar, a pair of control arms for said rockable bar, said control arms being connected to said bar at their rear ends at spaced points and being connected together at their front ends, a quadrant fixed to the frame forwardly of the bar, guide means for adjusting the connected front ends of said control arms on said quadrant, means for locking said arms in adjusted position, resilient means carried by said control arms for applying pressure to said rockable bar at points spaced forwardly and rearwardly of said bar, and press wheels positioned rearwardly of said shovels.

3. In a corrugator, a frame including spaced transversely extending front and rear members, a plurality of spaced parallel frame members connecting said front and rear frame members to define a plurality of rectangular frames, a shovel arranged in each of said frames and pivotally supported on the front frame member, a rockable cross bar supported by said parallel frame members, link mechanism connecting said shovels with said rockable bar whereby said shovels may be raised or lowered upon rocking of said bar, a pair of control arms fixed. to said rockable bar at their rear ends, said control arms being connected at their front ends, a quadrant fixed to said frame forwardly of the bar and associated with said control arms to permit the same to be locked in adjusted position on said quadrant, a rod connected to the upper part of each of said control bars forwardly of the rockable bar and extending rearwardly of said rockable bar, means connecting the free end of said rods to said rockable bar, a rotatable axle carried by said frame rearwardly of the rockable bar, and a plurality of longitudinally adjustable press wheels fixed to said axle.

4. The substance of claim 3 characterized in that the means for applying pressure to the rockable bar includes resilient connections.

CLARK L. ROBERTS.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,243,306 Knape Oct. 216, 1917 1,324,210 Roberts Dec. 9, 1919 2,303,043 Goodman Nov. 24, 1942 

